GENERAL BOOTH IN WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3948, 26 October 1891, Page 2

GENERAL BOOTH IN WELLINGTON.

Bis First Mooting.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

Wellington, Sunday

General Booth's meetings in the Opera House are bping very largely attended indeed by all denominations of people. The'profession on Saturday evening was a memorable sight by those who witnessed it. The glare of the uniforms of the soldiers of the Salvation Army, the life-boat full Qf lasses, the waving of banners, the playing of the bapds the lurid lights of torches and colored fires, and above all the spectacle and central figurt of fcbe bareheaded old man of patriarchal appearance, bowing and waving from an open carriage his acknowledgment of the cheers and greetings of the dense crowds of people who lined the route, were an amazing demonstration. Not even the most impassive spectator could help feeling a thrill of emotion at the sight of the greybearded face of he who had achieved so much and had come so far to see us, and to witness/the progress of the wonderful organisation of which he was the founder.

On the stago of the Opera House, as he rose to speak, one could bettei see the face of the great author an<] successful guide of the most wonder ful and praiseworthy social and religious organisation of modern times, and strangely familiar that face seemed, for the spectmor saw in life the ongjiialof thßCountenanceso faithfully uepiptud ut; ql). the engravings and photographs the Salvation Army so widely distribute of their famous leader. Tall, spare in build, and possessing a long face with the prominent nose seen in hi* like ncsses, with dark receding eyes, long grey beard, and grey hair, such is General Booth, His appearance is slightly Jewish, the nose causing that effect, undoubtedly. Strange it is, that a prominent nasal feature has been bestowed upon many great men. Other names could be mentioned, but suffice it now to allude to Napoleon I. and to Wellington, both remarkable leaders of men and masters of organisation and control. General Booth is certainly interesting, and to see so notewbvthj a man is a privilege and honour,' but even his greatest admirers would hardly style him eloquent or an qrator. On Saturday night too, he was, after long journeying, not at his best. He is quick of speech, and spoke in a rather higb-pitched and somewhat thin voice of what might be tauen for nervous delivery, but what really was Were jerkiness of utterance. Ever and anon he would, while in search of t» suitable word repeat his last phrase, for Geueral

Booth is not a fluent speaker, ah I heard Lira. As he warms to his subject, which is the origin and progress of the Salvation Army, he introduces gestures and occasionally nods his head in emphasis, and, coming to a denunciatory passage, propels it against his audience with repeated thrusts of extended forofinger. M!he effect is weird, for the speaker is impressive in his forcible speech and the action is odd. General Booth is not a polished speaker, the cultivate! hearer soon recognises that; and moreover, there can be traced to his mannerisms many oi the characteristics of the speakers we heat among the ordinary officers oftha Army. In the latter, however, these copied peculiarities of speeoh and 3tyle—if copied they are—become exaggerations and sometimes appear to be over drawn, demonstrations of feeling, so self abandoned are they in their religious forvour.

But it is not my intention io criticise General Booth's appea;"*noe„ and manner. Such an act impertinent and What I am striving to do is to faithfully record my own impressions of his speech and looks for those among your readers who have not the good fortune to hear him, and to be of any value, such a sketch must necessarily be impartial. An a well-wisher and supporter of the Salvation Army, I am very content to admire the wonderful and devoted philanthropic accomplishments of General Booth and to form my opinion of him and his undoubted powers by his works. Judged from this standpoint, one cannot fail to have a high opinion of this dauntless man, who addresses a huge audience in hi 3 earnest, simple, conversational, style, and I feel glad to have been face to face with so remarkable a figure in present day history. The subject matter of the 3eneral's ad-

dress has also its attraction, and to hour from the lips of its originator and leader the story of the rise and successful onward march of the Salvation Army until it has reached its sxisting worldwide strength, is indeed interesting, The Opera House is not quite full, bat all observe General Booth closely and listen intently to what be says, and many and loud are the spontaneous expressions of sympathy or endorsement interjected as this wonderful man unfolds his tale.

To-day (Sunday) the Opera House has, I understand, been crowded, and before General Booth leaves Wei* lington, most people will have been present at one of his addresses at least. The address on Tueoda'jf evening on "Darkest England and the way out," in Which the General unfolds his great social schemefor the bettering of the physical and spiritual condition of the poverty-stricken and most miserable section of England's people, is expected to be intensely interesting, and there will probably be some difficulty in accommodating the crowd that will then assemble.

It might be mentioned that the soldiers of the Army are all in uniform at these meetings, a special distinction of this ocoasion being the wearing of crimson sashes extending from shoulder to shoulder by both men and women. The-headquarters staff is distinguished by a tri-ooloured sash. The General himself is perhaps the most plainly attired individual of all, his uniform being one of plain black, there only occasionally flashing from between the opening of his coat, a glimpse of a red Jersey or vest beneath.